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Hotel Highlights

Huge roof terrace for soaking in the sunshine

Unique and quirky decorative features and bold burst of colour

Hammam and gommage treatments available

Overview

Riad Due’s four colourful contemporary guest rooms offer the perfect mid-Medina retreat for runaway couples in search of secrecy, and the huge roof terrace – with its roving masseuse – is the ideal place to relax in the sun and escape the scuffle of the souks.

At the hotel

Our favourite rooms

Suite Zan is the queen of the quartet, with a huge free-standing copper bath tub, a sprawling chaise longue, and over-sized lanterns on either side of the colourful king-size bed. There’s an impressive bathroom, with double sinks lit by Moorish lanterns, hidden behind a sliding red panel. Suite Adbel on the ground floor is similarly spacious, with a lovely carved wooden ceiling and blue-black marble floor and, in the bathroom, a choice between a marble tub and a walk-in shower that’s open to the sky. The hand-carved toilet door has been salvaged from a house in Fez. In the riad’s Junior Suite, Samir, the bed features a headboard converted from an old door and, strikingly, has no legs, so it seems to float on top of an wooden panel. Deluxe Room Kamal is the smallest in Riad Due – very cosy, with a sculptured plaster ceiling.

Poolside

There’s a lantern-lit deep-sea blue plunge pool in the courtyard – ideal for cooling off, if not for serious lane-swimmers.

Packing tips

Big, floppy hats will help keep the heat at bay when you’re snoozing on the roof terrace – Due provides Pananams. Don’t forget to note down the phone number of Marrakech’s premier personal shopper, Laetitia (+212 (0)74 217228).

Also

Massages are available on the roof terrace when sunbathing becomes too strenuous, and the hammam and gommage treatments on offer will leave you suitably radiant for the Marrakech nightlife.

Children

Free cots for under-5s, and extra beds for under-15s are €30 a night; extra beds for older guests are €50. With a day’s notice, babysitting can be arranged with a local nanny (€5 an hour).

Dress code

Top table

Local Guide

Local restaurants

Palais Soleiman (+212 (0)524 378962) on Dar Layardi and Palais Gharnata (+212 (0)544 389615) on Derb El Arsa both provide traditional Moroccan cuisine in beautiful surroundings. Bô & Zin (+212 (0)524 388012) is a Thai-style salon a little out of the way on the Ourika road, but worth the trek for excellent Southeast Asian dishes and a very trendy atmosphere. Le Fondouk (+212 (0)544 378190) in the heart of the Medina serves Moroccan dishes with a few diversions into Mediterranean cuisine along the way. Book ahead at weekends. Dar Moha (+212 (0)524 386400) is another trad Maroc option opposite the walls of Dar el Bacha, set in what was formerly the house of Pierre Balmain. Try to get a table in the walled garden by the pool; reservations essential. Dar Zellij (+212 (0)524 382627) in the Sidi Ben Slimane quarter is an intimate, relaxed Moroccan restaurant in a 17th-century riad.

Local cafés

There’s no better spot for a mid-souk stop-off than Café Arabe (www.cafearabe.com). Ask for a rooftop table and admire the mountain views.Dar Cherifa (+212 (0)524 426463) in Mouassine, is a cross between a café, an art gallery and a library – great for browsing over books on Marrakech over mint tea. There are regular poetry readings in the evening.

Riad Due

2 Derb Chentouf, Riad Laarousse, Marrakech Medina, Morocco, 40000

Planes

The nearest airport is Marrakech’s Menara Airport – fly there from the UK and elsewhere in Europe with British Airways (www.ba.com), Royal Air Maroc (www.royalairmaroc.com), EasyJet (www.easyjet.com) and Ryanair (www.ryanair.com). From the airport, a one-way Hyundai H1 mini-bus transfer for two people is MAD210; a one-way transfer in a Hyundai Sante Fe SUV is MAD280.

Automobiles

Driving in Marrakech can be horn-filled and hectic, but if you insist, hire a car from the Avis (www.avis.com) desk at the airport. To reach the hotel, follow Avenue de la Menara to the city centre. Parking is available nearby for €2 a night.

Reviews

Anonymous review

Mr Smith prides himself on his exemplary sense of direction. Leaving him to try and find Riad Due in the north medina, I took pleasure in giving him plenty of rope with which to hang himself. A fascinating exercise in the steady devastation of male pride, we traipsed past leatherworkers and lantern-makers down to the main square, and back. And back again. Eventually we gave up and got in a cab, an…

Riad Due

Anonymous review by Caroline Glitre, Charitable book-balancer

Mr Smith prides himself on his exemplary sense of direction. Leaving him to try and find Riad Due in the north medina, I took pleasure in giving him plenty of rope with which to hang himself. A fascinating exercise in the steady devastation of male pride, we traipsed past leatherworkers and lantern-makers down to the main square, and back. And back again. Eventually we gave up and got in a cab, and even the taxi driver had to give up after a while when he got to the edge of the warren of alleys and dead ends that is the city’s market and main attraction. That’s the way it goes in Marrakech – the roads only take you so far.

Mobile phones are another thing altogether and so, amidst the madness (and just to be clear, this was good madness – exciting, exotic, something-a-little-different-from-the-weekend-Waitrose-shop kind), 10 minutes later a tall, handsome young man approached with a luggage trolley. ‘Hello, I am Khalid. Welcome to Riad Due’. Instant calm in a black kaftan.

Khalid loaded our luggage and set off into the maze. We followed him into the alley at a pace several notches above my normal rate of late, being six months pregnant. Khalid chatted to us in embarrassingly easy English as we passed stalls of spices, carcasses and textiles. A few minutes later he hung a left, and it was as if someone had simply press Marrakech’s off switch. It was quiet, and we were outside a wizened, studded wooden door bearing the number 2. After Medina mayhem it was a Through The Looking Glass moment.

Open sesame, and into the Edenic bliss of Riad Due. Khalid showed us to seats by the plunge pool in the centre of the courtyard and brought mint tea and buttery biscuits. Palm trees climbed to the patch of blue sky three storeys up as we marvelled at how two left turns and the turn of a key could lead you in to another world. Jemeiaa, the manager, came to greet us, spread a map of the Medina out in front of us, and pointed out what was worth seeing (and equally as important, what was close.) Khalid was happy to show us the way to our first destination to get us started. After Mr Smith’s adventures in wanderland, this seemed like a fine idea.

Tiled stairs and an ornate wooden doorway led to a balcony and our lodgings. Once left to ourselves we had one of those high-five, whoop-for-joy, let’s-try-everything-out moments. A double-height original carved dark-wood ceiling. A bed so big it needs Google Maps to find the other side. A massive, statement copper bath where the statement is: ‘It’s a massive copper bath – and it’s in the bedroom!’ A floor-to-ceiling sliding door into a bathroom that might as well have ‘covet me’ scratched into the grey-green polished plaster. If this isn’t an intro to Industro-Arabic chic as a decor genre, I don’t know what is. A studious lack of TV or stereo adds complete peace and quiet to Riad Due’s checklist.

We bumbled round the medina, bought a tajine or two and just about managed to resist loading up on silly slippers and trinkets. Back in the solace of the riad we headed up to the roof terrace at dusk. A cold beer for Mr Smith, a mint tea for madame, and a warm breeze as a side order to soothe the spirits. A view of the Koutoubia Mosque’s famous minaret completed the picture postcard, with a distant call to prayer providing the soundtrack. The perfect place for an hour or two of reading, napping and doing not very much.

Breakfast, served in the courtyard by the plunge pool, varied slightly each day. The only constant was freshly squeezed orange juice, which, frankly I could have consumed intravenously. Morocco was, of course, a former French colony, and though we Smiths frown upon colonialism as much as the next couple, you have to say it – it does wonders for a nation’s pastries. A ‘Moroccan breakfast’ therefore, meant a delightful assortment of galettes, baguettes, English muffins, pancakes, doughnuts, French toast… all made fresh on the premises and utterly scrumptious (even with the post-colonial aftertaste)

We were so gobsmacked at le petit dejeuner that we promptly decided to order our dinner at the riad for that evening. Mr Smith opted for a veal tajine; myself I was a little tajined-out after a day or two in Marrakech and so went for the artichoke ravioli. What followed was the best banquet we would have all week – if you want bona fide Marrakech there really is no need to go to the Moroccan restaurants and suffer at the hands of ‘authentic’ tableside musicians. At Riad Due we were treated to a private dining experience with the chef evidently taking pride in his work and keen to impress a captive audience. Complimentary starters of deep fried cheese and vegetables were followed by excellent mains served with another on-the-house dish of slow-cooked broad beans, citrus and olives. The memory of those flavours is seared onto my tastebuds.

‘Shall we go out then?’ said Mr Smith, keen to reassert his inner compass. ‘Go for a wander?’ It was with great pleasure that I could say no way – not for fear of going out, but for the sheer joy of staying in.

The Guestbook

Whenever you book a stay at a Smith hotel with us, we'll invite you to review it when you get back. Read what other Smith members have to say about Riad Due in the Guestbook below…

Fran

BlackSmith

Stayed on
30 Apr 2015

We loved

From the very first moment you get inside Riad Due, you realize you've found an oasis of peace and serenity in the middle of the buzzing Medina. The quietness of this place is almost magical, it really makes you want to stay in there during the whole day, relaxing in their huge and comfortable rooms, or just staying in the main hall relaxing with a nice mint tea surrounded by the sound of passing water. The team takes care of all the details of your stay and really makes the difference in terms of having a wonderful time when you are with them. At night the rooftop becomes extremely quiet, perfect to enjoy a glass of your favourite drink in company while watching the stars. Thanks for such an amazing stay…we really wanted to stay there forever!

Don’t expect

Everything was close to perfection; at least for us.

Rating:
10/10 stars

Stephanie

BlackSmith

Stayed on
19 Dec 2014

We loved

Everything from the moment we arrived at the Riad Due was magical, beautiful and perfect. We were lucky and had the entire place to ourselves and the service to match such individual care and attention. The suite we were staying in felt like a palace: large copper tub in the room, giant lanterns for bedside lamps, gorgeous wooden paneling on the ceiling, and a luxurious and large bathroom. We couldn't believe how quiet the riad was when a lively and exciting Marrakech was just outside its doors. We were tempted to stay in the room and relax like royalty and just venture up to the stunning terrace for a few days- but managed to make a good few days visiting the key sites. I could easily see how it would make for a lovely honeymoon location as well. We loved how close it was to the souks and main sites, while still feeling relaxing, clean and serene. We walked through the new city where many modern hotels are located, but were so happy with our decision to stay in an authentic riad that was so beautiful architecturally and felt intimate and unique in the center of the Medina.

Rating:
10/10 stars

Sandy

BlackSmith

Stayed on
2 Oct 2014

We loved

The staff is very accommodating. Really like the rooms and service of this riad. Very lovely stay.

Don’t expect

Perhaps put shower door in the bathroom in the room we stayed so water doesn't splash onto the cabinet.

Melanie

BlackSmith

Stayed on
28 Sep 2014

We loved

Riad Due was the perfect venue for our 25th wedding anniversary. The attention to detail was enhanced by the amazing staff, Vanya, Khalid and team who couldn't do enough for us during our stay. Beautiful breakfasts on our table just outside our room next to the plunge pool (which my husband used daily!) We had dinner on one occasion served on the terrace high above the skyline over looking the city… magical and the food was amazing. I can't praise the people who work at this raid enough and would highly recommend a visit if you like great food, great serve in a great location minutes from the hustle and bustle from this vibrant city.

Rating:
10/10 stars

Claudia

BlackSmith

Stayed on
9 Feb 2014

We loved

The suite is huge; the staff is very friendly and attentive to guests' needs; it's very clean everywhere; I enjoyed the breakfast. I stayed for two nights in the suite, which is huge, like an apartment in Milan!

Don’t expect

I spent one night in the standard room; here the bathroom is too small compared to the room. The elevator didn't work

Rating:
8/10 stars

Mariya

BlackSmith

Stayed on
11 Oct 2013

We loved

From the moment of enquiry, Suzy Garcia at Mr & Mrs Smith was like a guardian angel. Thank you Suzy! This wouldn't have been possible without your help. This hotel was just what I wanted and so brilliantly recommended by Suzy. I loved the decor. The immediate feeling of being at home. It was the perfect place to feel tranquil and relaxed from the mayhem of the medina. It almost felt like a hiding place. Our suite was amazing and just wish we could have enjoyed it for more nights! The double couple shower was very cool. What helped us feel at home were the staff. Khalid was amazing, spoke perfect English and nothing was too much trouble. He was always on sight for any query! He was amazing. A star!

Don’t expect

Other than a mix up with the room at the time of booking, nothing else. It was rectified with a wonderful surprise cake. It was my boyfriend's birthday so this was a lovely personal touch. Thanks to Suzy Garcia at Mr & Mrs Smth for making this happen!

Rating:
10/10 stars

James

BlackSmith

Stayed on
5 Oct 2013

We loved

This is an oasis of calm in the buzzing city of Marrakech, with very personal service without being imposing. The courtyard is wonderful and we had a long debate about whether that or the rooftop terrace was better – we still haven't decided. It's a great base for exploring the medina and had great food if you didn't want to venture out either.

Rating:
9/10 stars

Alexandra

SilverSmith

Stayed on
14 Sep 2013

We loved

The staff was charming and discreet; nothing was too much trouble. The rooms were a perfect blend of comfort and simplicity.

Don’t expect

A simple lunch menu for those days when you want to laze on the roof terrace would be good, as would sun umbrellas for the sun beds on the roof.

Rating:
9/10 stars

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